2. amps-preamps
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From anthem/pse to rowland seperates?

Alright guys, I generally come here to hear what you have to say about gear. I currently have an Anthem PRE1 and a set of PSE studio V monoblocks running my Infinity RSIIs. I love the speakers, they are staying... Source is a boulder modified squeezebox and a turntable that I may never finish assembling (no arm yet).

I am considering stepping up the front end on my system after hearing the difference in the boulder modded squeeezbox vs. the stock unit. The Infinitys are a pain to drive, and that is the one reason I would consider giving them up...

A friend of mine has a Rowland Model 5a & Consummate preamp for sale. It would cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,200 to buy them both. Ill be honest, this is a sum of money I have never even considered spending on gear.

Would this be a huge upgrade from what I am currently using? He says yes.. and I do believe him. It is a very difficult choice to make since audition is not in the realm of possibility.

Is there some other gear I should be looking at? I do have a lazarus balanced preamp and a 200/200 that need service. Would they be an upgrade from the anthem/pse combo?

Thanks guys, just looking around for suggestions. I don't have the money handy so it would have to be a "save up" kinda deal.

Evan
240z4u
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,681 posts
 
Your friend won't let you try out the equipment he wants to sell?Not much of a friend in my book but that's just me.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
many might think the rowlands to be a upgrade, but the 'blue collar looking' pse stuff was some of the finest ss ever made. i don't see an improvment on paper...you'd have to try it and see. the speakers are legendary too. screw around with the front end if your bored.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Jaybo is right on. I have a PSE studio IV and it can hold it's own any time. You may consider getting them rebuilt if they have a ton of hours but mine has never shown any age. The Anthem came out as a budget version of Sonic Frontiers. It's nice but may be where to start? Try borrowing a higher end pre.
Cables and line conditioners have come a long way since your gear came out. Borrow some new interconnects to see what you can hear.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
If he is a true friend Evan, he would let you listen to the Rowland gear in your room and let you decide if it's worth it or not.
240z4u OP
32 posts
 
Well, it is not so much that he isn't a good freind.. but the gear is located half the way across the country and shipping to me and back if I didn't dig it would cost a few hundred bucks or so.

I am starting to wonder the same thing about the preamp, maybe that is truely my weak link at this point.

I know the amps can be world beaters, but I need to get them into a skilled tech for a good spiffing up.

Jaybo, and others thank you for piping up. keep up the suggestions!

Evan

BTW, I am not running anything super special for cables and PC's right now. I have nordost flatlines for speaker wire, and some diy canare interconnects for sources. The Infinitys have been recapped and crossovers restored as well.
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